The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-03
Messrs. John Lyons g. Co.

Mr.. John Lyons, of the firm of John
Lyons & Co., started business at the close Of
the war with a capital of less than 5000
He rented store at the corner of Whitaker
and Congress Streets where now stands the
drug store of Messrs. G. NJ. Heidi & Co
From this store he moved to the corner of
BroughtOn and Whitaker streets, which
property he afterwards bought, and where
he did successful grocery business until his
store was destroyed by fire, on July 3 1877.
On account of the iniammatory condition
| Of the old wooden building at this corner,
the rate of insurance was so great that Mr.
Lyons preferred taking his own risks which
he did. and the buildings were finally
burned without his having one dollars in
surance upon them. But small portion of
the stock was saved from this disastrous
fire, the estimated loss being about $4,000.
On July 4 the day after the fire. he rented
temporarily a store on Congress street. and
on that day his clerks went heartily to work,
and on the following day, July 5, his doors
were open for business
Having reached shat stage of business
success which enabled him to discount all
his bills, he had at this time afloat between
s., 600 and $1,000 worth of goods, which had
been already paid for, and these, with the
remnant rescued from the fire, formed the
nucleus upon which he started again his
second successful career.
Preparation had been Immediately MADE
for the erection of an elegant structure on
the ruins of the old store, which was in
tended to eclipse anything of the kind that
had yet been built in this city in this branch
of trade, and mammoth establishment of
brick and mortar was soon reared, and in
gigantic proportions lowered until the
rafters of the third story were reached.
About ! o'clock on the night of Oct. 30
hn ss,I, ~ - II ul< ~
were startled, and the stiffness of the night
interrupted by crash which resounded al
most thorugh the length and breadth of the
city, and the morning ghtrevealed the hith-
erto magnificent fabric, a piled ruin, and
mingled mass of waste and destruction
upon the ground.
1t did look indeed as though the fates were
against Mr.. Lyons at this time, and it was
only those who knew him better that did
not imagine that this last blow was the end,
and his irwin was told. Instead, however,
of this being the case, Mr.. Lyons de-
termined not only to rebuild the devastated
structure the whole loss of which was en-
tailed entirely upon HIMSELF, but to build
upon even still larger proportions, and to
this end he bought the adjoining lots, GO by
30 fronting on Broughton street, and three
owned by Mrs. Greene And now the
magnificent building known as Lye-sS
block stands, and will ever remain a monu.
ment of energy, perseverance and pluck
Peace hath her victories no less renowned
than war; and i'll mercantile sense Mr.
Lyons, by losses sustained and overcome,
difficulties met and vanquished, merits the
distinction of having been at least victorious,
Besides his handsome and well equipped
grocery, which graces the intersection OF
Broughton and Whitaker streets, there are
two magnificent stores fronting on
Broughton street, and three others on Whit
aker street, from which good rentals are
obtained, as the business situation VIII
always guarantee tenants.
About one year ago Mr.. Lyons bought the
residence Of the late Mr.. j. W. Latbrop, an
elegant building and palatial home, fronting
on Bull street, opposite Monterey square
As soon as purchased it was put in complete
repair, and every convenience that modern
ingenuity has invented, or comfort sug'
gests, has been added. The house stands
alone and looks like "a poem, or picture
of beauty in repose, ensconced and nestled
IN foliage, flowers, shady trees, and ever
greens.
Where moonbeams simmer,
And sunlights glimmer,
From azure skies.
For fifteen years Mr.. Lyons has been ably
and faithfully assisted by Mr. Samuel /.
Baker, his bookkeeper and friend, who
still with him.
Freaks of the Gulf Stream.